Surface Box for light

Hello;

I want to put light over my kitchen sink (not florescent). Center to the sink is 15-1/2" out and the joist is almost exactly at the same spot.

Could I just surface mount a pancake box, screwing it to the joist, drilling a hole up for the KO to the left side of the pancake box and running romex up through the hole? Then just make sure I have a fixture who's base is large enough to cover the box.

I can't think of anything wrong with doing this, it just seems a bit different, so I wanted to check.

Thanks

Jamie

p.s. it is a thick plaster ceiling, cutting a precision hole in it with a joist above the hole will likely end up involving patching / repainting (rotozip with plaster bit won't cut this plaster, I have to use the Sawzall with a special blade). But can be done if necessary.

Surface Box for light

Ur fine in the way you want. U can also get a 4 1/8 hole saw but depending if its wire mesh, it might not be an option. On a side note...when u mount the pancake box, take out the center knockout and drill the joist in case the fixture u are hanging has a dowel that wont clear the shallow depth of the box. Also, make sure u use a connector for the wire

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Surface Box for light

Taking out the center ko for the dowel on a small chandalier does not affect the integrity of the box. If the center ko falls out on the center of the beam and the fixture is a small chandelier...how do u suppose to hang the fixture? Cut the stud? Cut the dowel? Its easier to take out the center ko and just drill a 5/8 hole

Surface Box for light

Also, cutting the stud would ruin the integrity of the framing. Mounting the pancake so it hangs off the stud and screwing on one side is better than drilling a hole for the center ko and screwing both sides of the pancake? I don't think so....

Surface Box for light

a pancake box is designed to be mounted over top of a joist, in the thickness of the drywall. the drywall is cut out with a hole saw (or the like) and the box screwed in place, now flush with the ceiling. now one can begin to install cabling (only one romex can be in a pancake box) and finally the fixture.

However if more wiring space is needed they do make a box designed like a saddle to fit over a joist.

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Surface Box for light

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamiedolan

p.s. it is a thick plaster ceiling, cutting a precision hole in it with a joist above the hole will likely end up involving patching / repainting (rotozip with plaster bit won't cut this plaster, I have to use the Sawzall with a special blade). But can be done if necessary.

they make a grit hole saw that does the trick like a dream. Can find them at the big box. the joist above make it easier, take a 1/4" drill bit and make a pilot hole in to the joist first and it will keep the saw from wandering.

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Ragged Trousered Philanthropist

Please follow the code - its there for your safety no matter how inconvenient.